11. JUDY TURNER (Deputy Leader—United Future) Link to this
to the Associate Minister of Health
What are the next steps following the announcement of the terms of reference for the national medicines strategy?
Hon PETER DUNNE (Associate Minister of Health) Link to this
The aim of the national medicines strategy is to identify where improvements can be made within the existing system and the broad policy settings to ensure the best health and disability outcomes from medicines over the coming years. The Ministry of Health has begun work on a draft strategy document that will analyse the current system in New Zealand, look at our current policy settings, and describe international trends. It is also engaging with the sector on this work. I expect a new consultation document will be submitted to Cabinet by the end of the year. Consultation will take place early next year and I expect final advice of the outcome by the end of next year.
I am glad the member raises that question, because I need to make a point very clearly that this strategy is not simply a review of Pharmac. The strategy will focus on quality, access, and rational use of medicines. That being said, access to medicines is clearly an issue of interest to many stakeholders, but this is not about the way Pharmac operates, this is about the overall environment within which those decisions are made, and I look forward to the public response.
So far the response has been very positive from a variety of different groups. The non-governmental organisation Access to Medicines Coalition described this as being a significant move in the right direction. The Researched Medicines Industry Association has strongly welcomed the approach, and I have had a number of responses from individuals—medical practitioners, and others—all saying that this is a very timely initiative that they want to participate in.